The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am restoring a Pathé Perfecta phonograph, which is missing parts of the “Orpheus” attachment. The hinged folding rail is present, along with the bar that runs along it (driven by the feed screw). However the parts that hold the Horn rigidly in place are missing. These seem to be a rod, vertical support arm, wing nut + what else?

I can see (from Featured Phonograph #45, and a 1905 Pathé Catalogue - image attached) what the general Orpheus arrangement is. I assume it was common across several Pathé phonographs, including the Perfecta.

Grateful if someone could send me detailed photos of the relevant Orpheus components, and their dimensions. Thanks in advance!

A pic of what you actually have would be helpful...

There is a small wheel that supports the rod that the horn is attached to and allows it to traverse from side to side. The most difficult part to find is the horn connector which is hinged and fastens to the horn. It allows the horn to tilt up and lock in place, lifting the reproducer when not in use or changing cylinders.

This is what you refer, I presume. Not easy to reproduce.

Thanks CarlosV, yes that's the missing support assembly. What is the approx length of the horizontal arm? And of the hinged vertical support bar?

As it indeed looks like a complicated assembly to fabricate, does anyone have suggestions as where I might buy one?

Photo attached of my incomplete machine (and yes, I know it won't ever play Blue Amberols!)

The approximate lengths are 15.5 cm, 4.5cm , 2 cm. But it is more complex than what my first photo shows. Here it is disassembled, the short rod fits inside a cup to the long rod. You can find one of these in the French eBay , every now and then one shows up for sale.

These are maddening because they are so often missing. The idea of combing French ebay for a loose one is a good idea, and I’ve personally had success with that approach. I’ve also seen homemade solutions, which are not to hard to create functionally, but not as easy cosmetically.

All you need is the rod, and a means of pivoting horizontally on it, plus a means of giving vertical movement of the horn.

The clip and the triangular bit are a convenience but not required for usage of the machine.

Many thanks all, the further details and suggestions are much appreciated.